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ASSESSMENT AND REVIEW OF THE OPERATION OF THE CLEARING-HOUSE MECHANISM (AGENDA ITEM 5)

The Secretariat introduced the document on the clearing-house mechanism (CHM) (UNEP/CBD/COP/3/4) on Wednesday, 6 November. The CHM is designed to promote and facilitate technical and scientific cooperation, in accordance with Article 18 of the CBD. Delegates debated the composition and potential roles of the mechanism, its implementation and its financing. The EU and TANZANIA said the CHM should be needs-driven and decentralized. The EU called for involvement of relevant UN bodies and international institutions, and GERMANY sought participation from universities and the private sector. ETHIOPIA said that the CHM should exclude information on traditional knowledge until access and benefit-sharing policies are in place.

MALAYSIA and CAMEROON advocated the use of the CHM as a means of providing access to and transfer of technology to developing countries. Several delegations, including the EU and COLOMBIA, voiced support for regional workshops on the CHM.

Many delegations, including AUSTRALIA and GREECE, supported the publication of a CHM newsletter. The US called for use of a peer review process to assure technical quality and credibility. CHINA and INDONESIA sought capacity building and human resource training to allow developing countries to use the CHM. TANZANIA emphasized that the participation of Parties who do not currently have Internet access must be assured. BRAZIL urged the establishment of guidelines for setting up national focal points. CANADA and the PHILIPPINES called for GEF support for the pilot phase and long-term implementation of the CHM.

The draft decision on the CHM (UNEP/CBD/COP/3/L.3) was adopted in Plenary on Friday, 15 November, and called for: extension of the pilot phase through 1998; GEF support for capacity building and country-driven pilot projects; dissemination of information on policy and management as well as science and technology; provision of information linkages to national focal points; focus at the international level on thematic focal points; endorsement of a CHM newsletter; and close cooperation with other relevant conventions.

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